Is orthopantomography reliable for TMJ diagnosis? An experimental study on a dry skull.

The accuracy of orthopantomography in reproducing the temporomandibular joint area was analyzed on a dry skull. The results based on this study of a single skull revealed that the radiographic image of the temporomandibular joint did not correspond to the anatomic condylar and fossa components or to their actual relationship. To a large extent, changes in skull position affected the radiographic temporomandibular joint image, simulating anterior condylar flattening, osteophytes, narrowing of joint space, and left/right condylar asymmetry. Orthopantomography may have questionable reliability for temporomandibular joint diagnostic purposes.